Community Partners
Valoramas’ supports community organizations at the forefront of creating positive, meaningful change in the Latino community.
In Spring 2012, Valoramás gave $150,000 in unrestricted funds to sixteen Latino-serving community-based organizations in Chicago and Houston. Here is the list of the sixteen organizations that were selected to participate in the first phase of our Valoramás’ Founders’ Grants Initiative:
Chicago Organizations
A. Corazón Community Services
Corazón Community Services
Corazón Community Services is a community-centered 501c3 non-profit organization that empowers Latino youth by means of effective, life-improving programs in safety, health education and leadership. With three facilities serving Cicero and surroundings, Corazón has been operating since 2003. Assisting over 30,000 people each year, Corazón is an important partner in the “Cicero Youth Task Force”, a coalition of organizations operating in the area. Corazón’s strengths stem from a culturally-sensitive staff and volunteer body that are also young and bicultural like the end users they serve, demonstrating a deep understanding of their communities and a successful record in delivering life-enhancing programs that promote the safety, health and empowerment of mostly adolescent Latinos in the area.
Website: http://www.corazoncs.org/index.htm
B. El Hogar del Niño
El Hogar del Niño
El Hogar del Niño was founded out of a local church basement in 1972 by various community members who sought to develop the first bilingual school and affordable daycare in the Latino communities of Pilsen and Little Village in Chicago. El Hogar del Niño was formally established as a research and demonstration project of the Office of Child Development. For 40 years, our mission continues to be one which is for and about children assessing their needs and finding ways to meet those needs. Currently, the organization serves over 300 children through its toddler, head start, early head start, day care, preschool, early childhood development and after school programs. Parents receive early childhood parenting and development education as well as medical services, and the entire family benefits from a comprehensive network of services including employment, education and health. The Family Case Management program serves eligible pregnant women, infants, and children.
Website: http://www.elhogardelnino.org
C. Enlace Chicago
Enlace Chicago
Enlace Chicago is dedicated to make a positive difference in the lives of residents of the Little Village community in Chicago by fostering a physically safe and healthy environment in which to live and by championing opportunities for educational advancement and economic development. Through our four program areas, Community Education, Community Enrichment, Economic Development and Violence Prevention Enlace Chicago serves more than 5,000 youth and adults. The organization's impact reaches well beyond this number and benefits our entire community of nearly 100,000 residents by creating opportunities and resources. Our Education department implements the Community Schools initiative, turning Little Village’s five high schools and three of its middle school into community centers where after-school programming is provided for students and their parents. Our Community Enrichment department focuses on immigration organizing, increasing green spaces in Little Village through the conversion of vacant lots into community gardens, and hosts a summer basketball tournament known as B-Ball-on-the-Block.
Website: http://www.enlacechicago.org
D. Instituto del Progreso Latino of Chicago, Illinois
Instituto del Progreso Latino of Chicago, Illinois
Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto) of Chicago, Illinois was incorporated in 1977 to meet the needs of Latino immigrants to learn English, find employment, accustom their children to the U.S. educational systems, and adjust to life in Chicago in a myriad of ways. Since its inception, Instituto has been a story of hope, perseverance, and community triumph.
Website: http://www.idpl.org/
E. Mujeres Latinas en Acción
Mujeres Latinas en Acción
For almost 40 years, Mujeres Latinas en Acción has continued to make a dramatic difference in the lives of those we serve. Our comprehensive programs are designed to guide women from crisis situations to family and community leadership. Programs include domestic violence and sexual assault services, parent support, homelessness prevention, and the Latina Leadership program. Youth programs such as Proyecto Juventud and the Peace Program aim to curb violence and promote healthy relationships among children and their peers. As the only nonprofit organization offering domestic violence and sexual assault programs specifically to Latinas, the importance of Mujeres’ services cannot be overstated. The bilingual/bicultural nature of these programs is essential to skill-building, healing, and empowerment. As families are the cornerstones to healthy neighborhoods, Mujeres Latinas en Acción’s programs are essential to lasting personal and community change.
F. Red Mexicana de Líderes y Organizaciones Migrantes
Red Mexicana de Líderes y Organizaciones Migrantes
The purpose of La Red Mexicana de Organizaciones y Lideres Migrantes is to serve as an alliance between leaders and organizations of the Mexican immigrant community in the United States. Together, these organizations will influence and coordinate decision-making development and implementation of public policies that directly affect immigrants and their families in their U.S. communities and their communities abroad.
Website: http://es.redmexicanamigrante.org/
G. Teatro Luna
Teatro Luna
Teatro Luna is Chicago’s only all-Latina theatre dedicated to creating original devised and single-author work by Latinas that honors Latina lives and showcases the talents of Latina/Hispana artists. Founded in 2000, Teatro Luna is dedicated to expanding the range of Latina/Hispana roles visible on the Chicago stage and beyond. Central to its mission is Teatro Luna’s commitment to nurture Latina talent and develop new plays, and this is primarily served by our ambitious Luna Labs. Additionally, our education department offers unique year-round programs to both Adult Women of Color and youth all around the country. In 2012 Teatro Luna took over a new venue making them the only Pan-Latina Theatre Company in the country to have a physical home, come and spend some times with the Ladies of Luna at Luna Central: An Arts Center for New & Diverse Work, 3914. N Clark St.
Website: http://teatroluna.org/
Houston Organizations
H. Arte Público Press
Arte Público Press
Arte Público Press is the oldest and largest publisher of Latino literature of the United States. Having published more than 600 titles of literary books for adults, young adults and children, APP is also the largest and most active presenting organization for Latino writers in the country, averaging more than 50 presentations per year of readings, panels and workshops in city schools, community centers and libraries. APP’s mission is to create access for authors and communities to published works that reflect the history, language(s) and culture of U. S. Hispanics. In so doing, APP has actively attempted to broaden the literary canon in the United States and make Latino literature available to the general public as well as students, curriculum writers and teachers at every level of the curriculum from pre-school to graduate school. Most of the celebrated Latino authors in the United States were launched by APP.
I. Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans
Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans
AAMA is a community-based organization designed to inspire and empower Latinos to pursue and achieve their potential. Our efforts are focused in the areas of English proficiency, educational attainment, workforce readiness and leadership development. Founded in 1970 as the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans to serve at-risk students in Houston’s East End, today AAMA serves more than 22,000 children, teens, and adults in Houston, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley. Our core programs in Houston include Sanchez Charter School, Adelante Adult Education, and Prevention and Treatment services. In San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, we offer components of our Prevention and Treatment services for teens and adults. To learn more about AAMA and how you can help inspire and empower Latinos to reach their potential, please visit www.aama.org.
Website: http://www.aama.org
J. El Centro de Corazón
El Centro de Corazón
El Centro de Corazón was established in June 1994 as a community‐based social services organization for East End families, with an initial focus on mental health services. In October 2003, in response to an overwhelming community need for primary care services, El Centro shifted its focus to health care by merging with Eastwood Health Clinic, a non‐profit clinic in the area, and receiving a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status. El Centro’s focus has always centered on responding to the community’s needs. Four of El Centro’s health centers are located in the Second Ward Super Neighborhood, where approximately 86% of the population is Hispanic. 51% of the Ripley Clinic’s patients are uninsured, while 24% are insured through Medicaid, 21% are insured through Medicare and 4% are insured through private insurance. In 2011 El Centro had over 28,000 patient visits to its clinics.
Website: http://www.elcentrodecorazon.org/
K. Hispanic Women in Leadership
Hispanic Women in Leadership
In 1988, the Hispanic Women in Leadership (HWIL) was chartered in Houston, Texas, by 20 pioneering Latinas, after a successful Hispanic Women’s Leadership Conference. Hence, HWIL was established as a 501(C) (3) service organization with more than 400 members committed to advocating for Hispanic women’s issues and to enhance the quality of life for Latinos. Through our annual events, community projects, networking meetings, and workshops, HWIL unites Latinas and community for educational programs, leadership and professional development and entrepreneurship skills training. We provide college scholarships and mentorship awards to women in transition, and offer mentorship for aspiring women. HWIL integrates social media with a website for member communications, which links to HWIL’s sponsors and hosts an events calendar, community news, and features success stories along with employment and business opportunities and topics on health, fitness, and beauty; business and professional development; and, civic engagement promoting Latinas and the Hispanic culture.
Website: http://www.hwil.org/
L. Houston Area Women’s Center
Houston Area Women’s Center
The Houston Area Women's Center helps individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward. We provide shelter, counseling, career services, a unique court orientation program for children victims of abuse, community training and education and general advocacy services. Our services are free and confidential. In 2011, The Houston Area Women’s Center helped 40,190 women and men in crisis who called our 24-Hour Hotlines for help. 8,588 adults and 4,811 children and youth received counseling and advocacy services for domestic and sexual violence. Our shelter became a safe haven more 1,198 women and 1,006 children and our children court services advocates supported and prepared 2,968 abused children to testify in court.
Website: http://www.hawc.org
M. KIPP Houston
KIPP Houston
The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a network of open-enrollment, tuition-free public charter schools providing students with a high quality, college-preparatory education. Our mission is to develop in underserved students the academic skills, intellectual habits, and qualities of character necessary to succeed at all levels of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, college, and the competitive world beyond. KIPP operates 20 schools in the greater Houston area serving nearly 8,000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. While 98% of KIPP Houston students are either Hispanic or African-American and 90% are from low-income circumstances, approximately 90% of KIPP Houston students, tracking from 8th grade, have matriculated to college. Though only 8% of students from the bottom income quartile earn a college degree, 40% of KIPP Houston’s alumni, tracking from 8th grade, have graduated from college. This college completion rate is higher than the average of all students across all income levels nationwide.
Website: http://kipphouston.org/
N. Latino Learning Center
Latino Learning Center
The Latino Learning Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has proudly served the Greater Houston area for more than 31 years. Our mission is to provide educational and human support services to Houston communities with an emphasis on adult education and services to the elderly and disabled. The Latino Learning Center was founded in October 1979 when it acquired as a gift a dilapidated 21,300 square foot building. An average of 450 adults a year receive training in our various vocational and educational programs. In 1985, the Latino Learning Center became the first Hispanic community agency to developed HUD assisted housing for the low-income elderly. 110 units of elderly housing have been developed to date. We also established a state-licensed adult day care program in 1995. The program serves elderly and disabled clients to maintain their independent living.
Website: http://www.latinolearningcenter.org/
O. National Hispanic Professional Organization Leadership Institute
National Hispanic Professional Organization Leadership Institute
On January 1, 2009 the National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO) and Houston Community College (HCC) Southeast Campus, joined forces to create the NHPO Leadership Institute, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 program designed to help professional growth of leaders, so that they in turn can make our communities stronger. The vision of the founders was to create a program designed to promote professional development training and foster a curriculum that catered to professionals from all walks of life. The goal to strengthen communities, through educational initiatives and develop professionals with the skill sets, knowledge and opportunities necessary to be more successful, effective and have a positive influence on their communities, through volunteerism and non-profit board participation.
P. Talento Bilingüe de Houston
Talento Bilingüe de Houston
Located in the heart of Houston, Texas, the mission of Talento Bilingüe de Houston (TBH) is to educate all by preserving, presenting, and promoting Latino culture. For the last 34 years, TBH has maintained a strong cultural arts presence in Houston and today it is well known as a full service, multidisciplinary Latino Cultural Arts Center providing a Performing and Visual Arts Production Series, Latino Art Exhibits, Flor y Canto Summer Art Camp for children 6-12, Touring Theater Productions in the Schools reaching 5,000 at risk youth, Educational Community Classes and Workshops for children and adults, and facility rental to other community artists. It continues to be committed to presenting cultural arts that reflect the living tradition and experiences of Houston’s growing Latino citizenry. Last year, almost 60,000 onsite and offsite audience’s lives were enriched by its performances, exhibits, and educational programs.
Website: http://www.talentobilingue.org/
- Website Link - Video - Facebook 
- Twitter
Please check our website, Facebook page and Twitter page frequently for updates and new information about this critical community program. Additional information may also be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Featured Organization
In 1988, the Hispanic Women in Leadership (HWIL) was chartered in Houston, Texas, by 20 pioneering Latinas, after a successful Hispanic Women’s Leadership Conference. Hence, [...]
Read MoreRetail Partners
